Topic: Security

Apple's iOS and OS X platforms aren't directly affected by the rampant malware infestations that plague Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows, but that doesn't mean they can't be victimized by it, as the collateral damage and smokescreen of a reanimated botnet targeting unpatched, vulnerable systems demonstrates.

With consumers growing more conscious about protecting their privacy, Apple has begun tackle the issue head on with numerous enhancements to its next-generation mobile operating system including a new feature that makes it more difficult to track and identify individual iOS devices.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and a number of other high-profile tech leaders sent a letter to the U.S. Senate this week, urging them to beef up the proposed USA Freedom Act which would restrict government surveillance of Internet users.

A group of hackers calling themselves "Team DoulCi" say that they have figured out a way to execute a man-in-the-middle attack that gives them the ability to intercept users' Apple ID credentials as well as unlock iOS devices that have been made unusable by Activation Lock.

Recent releases of Apple's iOS platform, including the latest iOS 7.1.1 update, include a bug that prevents email attachments saved on the device from being properly protected with encryption, and a fix is presumably on the way.

Attackers continue to target Android more than any other mobile operating system, according to a new report released Tuesday, as Google's platform played host to all but one of the new mobile malware families discovered last year.

The servers of video game publisher Electronic Arts have apparently been compromised, with a new phishing page set up with the intend of stealing Apple ID usernames, passwords, and credit card information.

Speaking at Mobile World Conference, Google's new Android chief Sundar Pichai admitted that security plays second fiddle to "freedom" in the design and implementation of Google's mobile operation system, exposing Android users to an overwhelming, disproportionate share of malware vulnerabilities.

Apple on Tuesday released an incremental update for its Mavericks operating system, with OS X 10.9.2 addressing a critical SSL-related security flaw for Mac users, and also adding a handful of new features, most notably additions for FaceTime calls and iMessage user blocking.

The U.K.'s Government Communications Headquarters has reportedly developed a set of iPhone exploits that can turn Apple's handsets into live, remotely-accessible microphones and GPS trackers, according to new documents from NSA leaker Edward Snowden.

While Apple's robust security practices have made malware a virtual non-factor, iOS device owners should still take care to ensure that they themselves don't become the weak link in the security chain.

Apple's marketing chief took to Twitter on Tuesday to promote the 2014 edition of Cisco's Annual Security Report, presumably in a bid to draw attention to the report's finding that 99 percent of mobile device-targeted malware is directed at Android.

Starbucks on Friday quickly responded to criticism after it was discovered that its iOS payment app does not encrypt users' login information, with a new update that promises additional "safeguards" for customers.

Apple on Tuesday reacted to news that the U.S. National Security Agency has worked on iPhone spyware to remotely monitor users, saying it has not cooperated with the agency on such projects and was not previously aware of those attempts.

New documents revealed on Monday show the U.S. National Security Agency has the capability of deploying software implants on Apple's iPhone that grants remote access to on-board assets like SMS messages, location data and microphone audio.

Taig, a Chinese company that kicked in a reported $1 million to help Evasi0n develop a jailbreak to exploit and defeat Apple's app security model in iOS 7, has been revealed as significant source of pirated apps in violation of its contract.

Apple and a consortium of other tech industry giants have signed their names to an open letter addressed to President Obama and members of Congress, calling for substantial reforms to the regulation and oversight of surveillance performed by agencies like the NSA.